MSc Exit Seminar – Daniel Johnson (Goring Lab)

MSc Exit Seminar

Wednesday July 13^th, 1:10 pm – Earth Sciences Centre, Rm. 3087

Daniel Johnson (Goring lab)

 “Trafficking Dynamics in Arabidopsis Pollen-Stigma Interactions”

Abstract

Reproduction in the Brassicaceae family depends on self-recognition, where cross-compatible pollen is distinguished from self-incompatible pollen prior to acceptance by the stigma. The stigma only gives compatible pollen the resources required for hydration and germination of a pollen tube for fertilization. These resources are sequestered away from self-incompatible pollen, inhibiting inbreeding. Many questions remain surrounding the specific signalling events that govern this self-recognition system. This research investigates how resource delivery to self-incompatible pollen is prevented in Arabidopsis. Topics explored include the localization of Sec5a, an exocyst complex member that delivers secretory vesicles to compatible pollen; the localization of ARC1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase which prevents the exocyst from delivering resources; and autophagy’s degradation of the sequestered resources.